The Visit of the Vicar General in Venezuela

On the 31st of May the Custody of the Immaculate Conception in Venezuela with great joy and devotion celebrated 70 years of renewal of the Franciscan presence in Venezuela. It is renewal because it was not the first time for the friars to be in the territory of Venezuela. In 1515 friars arrived at the seacoast of Cumaná and were sent to the Island of Spain, which are present day Dominican Republic and Haiti. In the year 1575, the Province of the Holy Cross in Spain sent the missionaries to establish the convent of San Francisco de Caracas and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The celebration of 70 years of the New Franciscan presence in Venezuela took place at the Church of Christ the King   at Caracas. The friars were joined with many faithful. On 30th May, the vigil was celebrated and the whole Franciscan family was present. They shared their experiences with regard to the services of the friars in Venezuela. The rich history of the Order was recovered as they talked about the future of the Order which the Franciscans need to embrace.

The culmination of the feast was brought into completion by the Solemn Eucharist celebration which was presided 31st of May by Br Ignacio Ceja, OFM, presided over by the Vicar General of the Order. In the celebration Br César Kulkamp, ​​​​OFM, General Definitor, and Br Juan Manuel Bujan, OFM, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Santiago di Compostela (Spain), on which the Custody depends, participated. The friars of the Custody and the local community were present united together in the spirit of gratitude and hope.

The celebration of 70 years indicates an important step in the history of the Franciscans in Venezuela. It reaffirms the commitment of the friars in the service of mission and evangelization which make present the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi in the country.